Howell Woman Indicted In Fatal 2015 Pedestrian Crash: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Howell Township woman has been indicted in connection with a 2015 crash that killed a man who was sweeping along the shoulder of the road in front of his Howell home, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Kathleen L Mackey, also known as Kathleen L. George, 38, of Standish Drive in Howell, is charged with one count each of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree vehicular homicide and third-degree causing death while driving unlicensed, Gramiccioni said.

The fatal collision occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on October 21, 2015, the prosecutor's office said. Mackey was driving a 2015 Ford Focus along Friendship Road near the Teak Road intersection when she left the road and hit Leslie Stein, 65, while he was on the shoulder of the road next to his property, the prosecutor's office said.

Stein suffered massive life-threatening traumatic injuries and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township, where he died at 6:26 p.m., Gramiccioni said.

Mackey, whoselicense had been suspended a month prior to the crash, was on her way to a hearing in Howell Township Municipal Court on a charge of driving while intoxicated in connection with a crash two months earlier, according to an NJ.com report.

Gramiccioni said the investigation determined Mackey had taken prescription drugs prior to driving and a blood sample taken from Mackey after the fatal crash revealed she was operating the motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

The crash was investigated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART) and Howell Township police, he said.

Mackey faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of aggravated manslaughter, subject to the No Early Release Act, and 5 to 10 years in prison on the vehicular homicide charge. The charge of causing death while driving unlicensed carries a sentence of 3 to 5 years.

Image via Morguefile